Valor 2020
Rhinegeist Brewery

Many of us definitely saw 2020 out on a sour note, and so did the Rhinegeist Brewery. To commemorate the moment, they take a time honored German-styled Gose recipe and turned lemons into limoncello.

And with that cocktail in mind, Valor 2020 sees a tarnish gold pour and a fine mesh haze that floats a creamy satin-stained froth. As the scent of lemon rolls off of the rim, so does a citrusy perfume laced with white wine, stale bread, orange zest and a brisk scent of sea air. Moderately malty on the front of the tongue, first introductions are of sourdough, sugar cookie, pastry tarte and the lightness of honey.

Then as the sourness builds upon the relaxing malts, an undercurrent of lime, passionfruit, gooseberry, green apple and white wine pierces through the breadiness and gives a refreshing jolt of acidity on the middle palate. Taking on a tart character, the late palate is of lemon, cream candy and sourdough once more.

Medium bodied and probably more true to style than many of the more common and more sour "kettle" soured ale on the market, the wheat germ that plays out on this beer is a welcome to the traditions of Liepzig and the Gosslar region of Germany, finishing malty-tart and with an after palate of sourdough and weathered lemon rind.